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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Bye-bye Builder Grade...AKA How We Framed Our Mirror

We bought our 9 year-old home almost 3 years ago. Like most new construction, our house has lovely "builder grade" mirrors in all of the bathrooms. (What I mean is that there really isn't anything special about them!)

First, we went to Lowes and purchased 2 pieces of wood moulding for $22 total. We borrowed my father-in-law's power miter saw and cut 45 degree angles to create a frame the correct lengths for each side of the mirror. (You could also do this with a miter box.)

Then I spray-painted both side of each of the four cut pieces.

And, yes, if those pieces look dark green and not black (like we intended) you are correct. In an eager hurry to start this project I grabbed "Charleston Green" paint by mistake. This was just to prove that we are NOT DIY-ers at all! Overall, not the worst mistake.

After painting the trim BLACK, we were good to go.

We piped liquid nails for mirrors on the back of each piece of trim, staying in the middle of each piece so nothing would reflect in the mirror. And let me say that this stuff was awesome. It securely held each piece of trim from as soon as it was in place. We did not even need to use tape, etc. to help hold the trim up while it dried.

Everything dried easily and then we used paintable caulk on the corners to hide the seams.

I went back over with a foam brush and painted over the caulk. (Just sprayed some of the paint on a piece of cardboard and it worked just fine.)

And...all finished!

We are pleased with how it turned out! And for about $30, not bad for a "custom upgrade."

It turned out perfect! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Artsy Girl. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-11.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

This looks really awesome! I want to do this so badly but am so nervous. Do you have any advice/cautions/pitfalls to avoid for when I try. I'm thinking of doing it myself and surprising my husband so any advice on how to make it go smoothly is appreciated!!

I'm stopping for a visit from Six Sisters' Stuff today!I'm having so much fun visiting the participants of this blog linky party.So many wonderful and creative ideas.We have mirrors like that in our apartment. Wish I could make changes like this. It looks so finished.

It's party time over at Debt Free Mommy Blog and you're invited!! Please stop on in and link up with Making Space Mondays. We look forward to seeing any post(s) about making your space better. Hope to see you there. -Tabitha

We are anxious to do this project in our two guests baths, would you be so kind as to answer a couple of questions for me. First, did you glue the mirror to the wall before installing the trim pieces? If not, how did you hide the little plastic hooks that builders use to hang mirrors?

Great job on the mirror! I found your site through the sasse life sunday social. I am your newest follower. I hope you get an opportunity to stop by TheStuffofSuccess and say hello. Have a terrific week. Athena

Hello my name is...

I have been married for 9 years to a husband that makes me laugh everyday. I stay at home with our 4 kiddos and spend my days folding laundry, filling sippy cups, and thinking of ways to make our house a home. My husband will tell you my one weakness is a bag of oreos...and I would have to agree!